Italian seasoning benefits Placentino

Rocco Placentino said he learned one valuable lesson during
the five years he spent playing professional soccer in Italy.

By The Gazette (Montreal)May 30, 2008

Rocco Placentino said he learned one valuable lesson during the five years he spent playing professional soccer in Italy.

"I learned how to play without the ball," said the 26-year-old Montreal native whose career came full circle last week when he signed with the Impact, his first pro team from 2001 to '03.

"The coaching in Italy made me a better tactical player," said Placentino, who played with five teams ranging from the second to the fifth division. "It seemed boring at times, doing things over and over for two hours, but I learned how to create space without having the ball at my feet. There were things they don't teach here in North America."

Placentino displayed his new skills Tuesday when the Impact lost 1-0 to Toronto FC in the opening game of the Canadian Champions League. In his first official game with the Impact since signing a contract last week, Placentino managed three shots before leaving the game early in the second half.

"It was easy to fit in," said Placentino, who will be in the lineup tonight when the Impact is home to the Portland Timber in United Soccer Leagues First Division action at Saputo Stadium (7:30 p.m., SRC, FSW, Team-990 Radio). "Everyone was very friendly and that made it easier. I think we have a good team; we just have to start scoring goals."

The Impact has gone four games without scoring, but coach Nick De Santis noted that his team has been getting chances and he's hopeful Placentino can help the team break out of its slump.

Placentino, who plans to get married next year, said being close to his fiancée played a role in his return to Montreal. But he added he also has faith in the future of the Impact.

"I started talking with Nick back in January," Placentino said. "My contract in Italy was up in May and I was impressed by what Joey Saputo and the Impact were doing. I knew they were going to try to move into MLS, they had a great new stadium and everything about the organization is first-class. They run things like a First Division club."

Placentino said he and the Impact reached agreement on a contract after "both sides gave a little."

He played 58 minutes against Toronto FC, leaving the game partly because he said he's not 100-per-cent game fit and partly because the Impact's Stefano Pesoli was ejected from the game and De Santis felt he needed an extra defender.

"I took some time off for a vacation after the season ended in Italy and I wanted to be fresh for the game Friday," Placentino said. "It's tough to play 180 minutes in three days."

The Impact needs all the help it can get because it is dealing with a number of injuries to key players.

Defenders Gabriel Gervais (quadriceps) and Nevio Pizzolitto (shoulder) have missed most of the season. Striker Roberto Brown and midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, who are counted on to provide offence, are out with hamstring problems. The only good news is that defender Cédric Joquiviel, who missed the Toronto game with a strained ankle, will return tonight.

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